JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. (AP) - Military prosecutors say the soldier accused of killing 16 villagers in a nighttime rampage in Afghanistan returned to his base with the blood of his victims on his rifle, belt, shirt and pants.

Prosecutor Lt. Col. Jay Morse says Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was incredulous when fellow U.S. soldiers drew their weapons on him when he returned to Camp Belambay in southern Afghanistan last March.

Morse says Bales turned to one sergeant at the scene and said: "Mac, if you rat me out..."

Bales has been charged with 16 counts of premeditated murder and six counts of attempted murder in the attack on two villages. Nine of the victims were children.

The hearing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., will help determine whether his case goes to a court martial.

Copyright 2015 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.